Flat tires can be an inconvenience on the road. A puncture may result from a stray nail, sharp rocks, bad road conditions, improper inflation, and other hazards. Sometimes you may get stranded in the midst of nowhere and don’t have a way out. The best remedy is to change the flat tire immediately. You should know how long you can drive with the spare tire if you have a spare.
Should driving on a flat tire be a solution? Is it risky to drive on a flat tire? What if you already have a spare? Can it help? Let’s find out the answers to these questions and tackle the flat tire issue.
How Long Can You Drive on a Flat Tire?
The distance you can drive on a flat tire depends on the type of the road, weather conditions, tire condition, and the load on the vehicle. The flat tire cushions the wheel’s rim from damage. Though it’s not advisable to drive on a flat tire, there is a rule you can apply if you have no option.
A flat tire indicates any figure below 20 PSI. If having a flat tire, you should maintain a maximum speed of 15-20 miles per hour. Any speed beyond the range can cause damage to your car, and it’s risky for you and other passengers.
Don’t forget that the faster you drive, the more your tire wears. It could lead to a blowout or bulges in your tire even after fixing the puncture. Some other tips that may guide you on driving with a flat tire includes;
- Avoid potholes, broken patches, or sloping surfaces. The ideal places to drive are parking lots or paved roads.
- Drive-in straight directions, no turns or curves
- Leave the traffic and look for clearings with minimal movement.
What Happens if You Drive on a Spare Tire too Long?
If you drive too fast in a spare wheel, your vehicle can fail or have a blowout and lead to damage. A blowout tire makes a vehicle lose control, crashing other vehicles or pedestrians. The vehicle becomes unbalanced and can cause a very dangerous crash.
So, it’s best to use a spare wheel for a limited time and drive slowly. If possible, drive at a speed lower than 50MPH for your safety and other road users.
What Happens if You Drive on a Flat Tire for too Long?
Driving fast with a flat tire and for a long-distance result in the following;
- Rim may get damaged– with little or no pressure in the tire, the rim has to bear the vehicle’s weight without support, which can cause damage.
- Driving flat tirescan be risky for your car and break the brake lines, suspension parts, fenders, and rotors. In addition, this damage can cost when repairing the car.
- Dangerous for you and passengers– bad tires can damage sensitive parts like brakes lines, affecting how you control the vehicle and may lead to an accident.
- The tire may become unusable– when you overwork the tire by driving too fast, it will get more damage to an unrepairable point.
- Higher chances of another flat tire– using a spare tire for too long can result in a blown-out tire, and this can make your vehicle slip out of control and crash.
How Fast Should I Drive on a Donut?
A general rule in using space-saver or donut is that you shouldn’t drive faster than 50 miles per hour and more than 50 miles. The reason for this rule is to prevent any accidents from occurring. So, it’s best to avoid using the donut for a long period as it has less or no tread; thus, it’s more prone to crashing. Again, the tire is very small, spinning faster to keep up with the car’s speed, making it wear faster or get a puncture in case of a long driving distance.
What is the Difference Between a Spare Tire and a Donut?
A donut also called a space-saver tire or temporary spare, is designed to save space in smaller vehicles. The tires usually have less traction than standard tires and are smaller in size. In comparison, a spare tire is the same size as regular tires and allows you to drive without handling changes.
A donut is a temporary spare tire that you should drive for short distances until you get another tire. For donuts, you shouldn’t drive for an extended time or at high speeds. However, using a spare tire has fewer limitations and won’t notice any change in the handling and performance of the vehicle. Being the tire has the same size as regular tires, you can drive as long as the tire can last.
Can You Drive on the Freeway with a Temporary Spare tire?
No, it’s not ideal for driving on the Freeway with a temporary spare tire as this puts you at high risk of high speed. Most freeways have speed limits higher than 50MPH, which is dangerous for you and the vehicle when on a temporary spare tire. Driving on highways also means longer distances which you should avoid.
Several issues can occur on the highway and cause harm to you and other road users. The spare tire could get a puncture or blowout since driving at highway speeds will overtask it. The vehicle may also lose control and crash, causing accidents.
This is common especially because a small spare tire disables traction control and other stability assistance software. Though the law doesn’t indicate whether it’s illegal to use donuts on the Freeway, it’s best to avoid them for your safety.
How Long Does a Spare Tire Last?
The full-size spare tires can last for an extended period of ten years. However, the time your spare wheel lasts depends on the type you have and the quality. If you store the spare wheel properly and have the best quality, the tires can be 100% safe to use for up to six years. Therefore, several factors can limit the spare wheel’s shelf life, such as environment and storage conditions.
How to Put on a Spare Tire
To put a spare tire correctly, you require the following tools;
- Carjack
- Fully inflated tire
- Lug wrench
- Drive safely and park your vehicle in a safe place. For example, a driveway or a parking lot should be fine. Switch off the vehicle, put the transmission in park, and set the parking brake. If using the highway, pull over to the side and put the warning triangles to alert the drivers of your presence.
- Take out the tools and spare tire. Then check the pressure of the spare tire to confirm it’s okay.
- Using a lug wrench, loosen the lug nuts but don’t remove them.
- Take the jack and lift the vehicle until the flat tire is off the ground. Later remove the lug nuts and flat tire.
- Be careful while using the jack sometimes; it may fail and cause injury.
- Mount the spare tire. You should lift the vehicle higher for the tire to fit. Then, spin the lug nuts on the wheel until it’s secured.
- Remove the jack to lower the vehicle. Keep the flat wheel safe in the car. Using the lug nuts, tighten the lug nuts as tight as possible.
- Collect all the tools and place them in the trunk. You are now safe to drive to the nearest station and have the flat tire repaired.
How to Avoid Driving on a Flat Tire
No one can be sure when a flat tire will occur and where. Anyway, there are tips you can apply to minimize the chances of having flat tires:
- Check the tire pressure regularly- it’s best to inspect your tire pressures, including the spare, at least once a month. Use a
- Invest in the best tires that are well-suited for your car. For example, you can consider all-season tires, or the safest, which is run-flat tires.
- Always inspect your tires before heading out; this will reduce the chances of getting a flat tire.
Since an accident can occur anywhere, it’s always best to prepare for the worst. Learn how to change a flat tire, as explained in the procedure above. Remember to carry a spare wheel in your trunk and the required work tools. Again, you have a mobile compressor and sealant kit to fix the flat tire.
Where to Buy a Donut Spare Tire
You can purchase a donut tire in any online shop dealing with normal car tires. You can also find it in the local tire shop and even in a well-equipped gas station. Some online shops with the best offers are Amazon, Walmart, Tire Rack, Discount Tire, and Auto Zone.
What to Look for When Buying Donut Tires
While shopping for a donut tire, you need to consider the following:
- First, choose a tire with a diameter similar to your existing wheels. Then, if purchasing online, you need to enter the dimensions of the other wheels and choose the best.
- Choose between cheap and premium donut tires. Premium tires are much more expensive than cheap ones, but they tend to perform better and last longer.
- Treads on the wheel. Though most donuts have fewer trends, consider the brand with more treads for your safety on the road.
Check this too: How To Stop A Tire From Leaking Around The Rim
Conclusion
Driving on a donut tire isn’t advisable. Instead, you should repair the flat tire as soon as possible. Since donut is smaller than other tires, it makes your vehicle unbalanced and unsafe. To avoid getting stranded amidst nowhere, always carry a spare tire and repair tools in your vehicle.
Again, you should learn how to install the spare wheel to help you reach the nearest repair station. Remember to follow the driving guidelines when using a spare or donut tire.